Health#

These Lucky Stars uses a two-layer health system. The first layer, Defense (DEF), is primarily used in combat and represents how well a character defends against attacks — both avoiding them and bracing against them. The second layer, Vitality (VIT), represents how much of a beating or how many injuries a character can withstand before they are incapacitated. Characters may also accumulate wounds and conditions, which have their own effects and recovery rules.

Defense#

Defense (DEF) = AGI Bonus + FORT Bonus + Mods (Min 1)

Defense is the first layer of a character’s health. It represents a character’s ability to react to and avoid dangers — dodging, bracing, turning a blow aside, or simply keeping their composure under fire. When a successful attack is made, damage is dealt to the defender’s DEF first.

DEF Reset

A character’s DEF stays damaged until one of the following happens:

• They take a point of VIT damage. DEF resets to max as part of the same resolution.
• They spend an action in combat to reset their DEF.
• Combat ends, or the GM otherwise rules they are safe from immediate threat — usually when the character gains total cover, is hidden from all opponents, or the scene resolves.

In-world framing: A DEF reset can be described as a character readying themselves, regaining their composure, or catching their breath after receiving or dodging blows.

Vitality#

Vitality (VIT) = ½ Level + ½ FORT + Mods (Total Rounded Down, Min 1)

Vitality is the second layer of a character’s health. It represents a character’s overall durability and ability to endure ailments. The more VIT a character has, the more they can push through before succumbing to their injuries.

In combat, VIT represents the number of solid blows a character can take before being incapacitated. Each time a character’s DEF is depleted, they lose a point of VIT.

Wounds from VIT Damage

An attack inflicts a wound on the defender if it:

• Dealt 2 or more VIT damage, or
• Caused the defender to reach 0 VIT.

The GM determines the appropriate wound severity based on the attack and circumstances.

Reaching 0 VIT

When a character’s VIT reaches 0, the attacker decides whether the final blow was lethal or non-lethal. If the damage came from an environmental effect or other non-character source, the GM makes the decision.

• A lethal blow applies the dying condition and a major wound.
• A non-lethal blow applies the unconscious condition and a minor wound — usually a contusion to the head.

VIT Recovery

• One point of VIT is recovered with a full day’s rest.
• VIT damage cannot reduce a character below 0.
• Max VIT is affected by any changes to a character’s FORT.

Applying Damage#

Once total damage is calculated, it is dealt to the defender’s current Defense (DEF). When DEF reaches 0:

1. The defender loses 1 point of Vitality (VIT).
2. DEF resets to max.
3. Any remaining damage is applied to the new DEF.

This repeats until all damage is dealt or VIT reaches 0. Once VIT reaches 0, any remaining damage is wasted.

For how damage totals are calculated — damage dice, modifiers, resistance, and damage types — see Combat.

Related#

• Stats — where DEF and VIT sit alongside the rest of the character sheet.
• Combat — initiative, attack resolution, and damage calculation.
• Wounds & Conditions — wound severities, condition effects, and recovery.